Weisman v. U.S. Blades, Inc.

• Decision Date: 09 July 1996
• Docket Number: Docket No. 175951
• Parties: Marc F. WEISMAN, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. U.S. BLADES, INC., Defendant-Appellee, and Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan, Intervening Plaintiff.
• Court: Court of Appeal of Michigan — District of US

Page 484

552 N.W.2d 484

217 Mich.App. 565

Marc F. WEISMAN, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. U.S. BLADES, INC., Defendant-Appellee, and Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan, Intervening Plaintiff.

Docket No. 175951.

Court of Appeals of Michigan.

Submitted May 23, 1996, at Detroit.

Decided July 9, 1996, at 9:30 a.m.

Released for Publication Sept. 4, 1996.

David F. Zuppke, P.C. by David F. Zuppke and Michael Emmett Hunt, Bingham Farms, for the plaintiff.

Kohl, Secrest, Wardle, Lynch, Clark & Hampton by Janet Callahan Barnes and Robert G. Chaklos, Jr., Farmington Hills, for the defendant.

Before: CORRIGAN, P.J., and MacKENZIE and P.J. CLULO, ^* JJ.

PER CURIAM.

Plaintiff appeals of right an order granting summary disposition under MCR 2.116(C)(8) and (10) in this negligence action under the Roller Skating Safety Act, M.C.L. § 445.1721 et seq.; M.S.A. § 18.485(1) et seq. Plaintiff fractured a finger, wrist, and elbow after a child nearly collided with him, causing him to hit a tunnel wall while he was in-line skating at defendant's rink. We affirm.

Plaintiff argues that genuine issues of material fact existed regarding whether the Roller Skating Safety Act applies and whether defendant U.S. Blades, Inc., complied with the act. We disagree. This Court reviews de novo an order granting summary disposition. Butler v. Ramco-Gershenson, Inc., 214 Mich.App. 521, 524, 542 N.W.2d 912 (1995). A motion for summary disposition under MCR 2.116(C)(10) tests the factual sufficiency of a claim. Radtke v. Everett, 442 Mich. 368, 374, 501 N.W.2d 155 (1993). MCR2.116 (C)(10) permits summary disposition when, except as to damages, there is no genuine issue regarding any material fact, and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Id. Giving the benefit of doubt to the nonmovant, this Court must independently determine whether the movant would have been entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Lytle v. Malady, 209 Mich.App. 179, 183-184, 530 N.W.2d 135 (1995), lv. gtd 451 Mich. 920, 550 N.W.2d 535 (1996).

Plaintiff argues that the Roller Skating Safety Act does not govern this case because defendant's facility is not a "roller skating center" as defined by the act. The Roller Skating Safety Act provides in pertinent part:

(c) "Roller skater" means a person wearing roller skates while that person is in a roller skating center for the purpose of roller skating.

(d) "Roller skating center" means a building, facility, or premises which provides an area specifically designed to be used for roller skating by the public. [M.C.L. § 445.1722(c), (d); M.S.A. § 18.485(2)(c), (d).]

The act calls for roller skaters to avoid other skaters:

While in a roller skating area, each roller skater shall do all of the following:

* * * * * *

(c) Maintain a proper lookout to avoid other roller skaters and objects. [M.C.L. § 445.1724(c); M.S.A. § 18.485(4)(c).]

Further, the act expressly provides for the assumption of risk:

Each person who participates in roller skating accepts the danger that inheres in that activity insofar as the dangers are obvious and necessary. Those dangers include, but are not limited to, injuries that result from collisions with other roller skaters or other spectators, injuries that result from falls, and injuries which involve objects or artificial structures properly within the intended travel of the roller skater which are not otherwise attributable to the operator's breach of his or her common law duties. [M.C.L. § 445.1725; M.S.A. § 18.485(5).]

Plaintiff argues that at the time of his injury, he was "roller blading" in a "roller blading facility," not roller skating in a roller skating facility and that, therefore, the act is inapplicable. The act does not define the terms "roller skating" or "roller blading." Thus, we must resolve whether in-line skating is "roller skating" and whether in-line skates are "roller skates" for purposes of the act.

The primary goal of statutory interpretation is to give effect to the legislative intent. Mino v. McCarthy, 209 Mich.App. 302, 304, 530 N.W.2d 779 (1995). If the language of the statute is clear, we employ it and do not engage in judicial construction. Id. However, if reasonable minds could differ regarding the meaning of a statute, judicial construction is appropriate. Dep't of Social Services v. Brewer, 180 Mich. App. 82, 84, 446 N.W.2d 593 (1989). When the Legislature does not define a word in a statute, the ordinary meaning of the word applies and the court may consult dictionary definitions to construe the statutory language. In re Estes Estate, 207 Mich.App. 194, 208, 523 N.W.2d 863 (1994).

Plaintiff argues that roller skates have two pairs of wheels side by side, while roller blades have four wheels in a line and that each activity involves different starting and stopping mechanisms. Plaintiff contends that he was "roller blading" and not "roller skating." We disagree. The term "roller blade" is properly considered to be a reference to the Rollerblade brand of in-line skates, not the name of the sport or activity in which plaintiff was engaged. Random House Webster's College Dictionary (1995), p. 1166.

A "roller skate" is defined as "a form of skate with four wheels or rollers, for use on a sidewalk or other surface offering traction." Id. An "in-line skate" is defined as "a roller skate with typically four hard-rubber wheels in a straight line resembling the blade of an ice skate." Id., p. 694. Thus, in-line skates are roller skates. A place where in-line skating occurs is a roller skating facility.

In the instant case, defendant's place of business is a "roller skating center" under the act because it is a facility that provides an area specifically designed for roller skating by the public. M.C.L. § 445.1722(d); M.S.A. § 18.485(2)(d). Moreover, plaintiff was a "roller skater" under the act because he was wearing roller skates while in a roller skating center for the purpose of roller skating. M.C.L. § 445.1722(c); M.S.A. § 18.485(2)(c).

Plaintiff next argues that the court improperly granted summary disposition because genuine issues of material fact existed regarding whether defendant U.S. Blades complied with the act. We disagree. Plaintiff asserts that the act does not prescribe that all roller skaters assume the risk of all injuries suffered while roller skating at a roller skating center. In Skene v. Fileccia, 213 Mich.App. 1, 539 N.W.2d 531 (1995), this Court held that the Roller Skating Safety Act is clear and unambiguous. By participating in the sport of roller skating, one accepts the dangers that inhere in the sport. Specifically included are "injuries that result from collisions with other roller skaters." M.C.L. § 445.1725; ...